Adaptive and Accessible Recreation Fairs

From the SPED Child and Teen online newsletter:

Special-Needs Recreation & Transition Resource Fair: May 30th, 2012, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Rupert A Nock Middle School, Newburyport. Exhibitors include: Plum Island Kayak, Windrush Farms, Joppa Flats Audubon Center, The Arc of Greater Lawrence, The Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport, The Spotlight Program of the Northeast Arc, Fidelity House Human Services, Holland Project, Creative Living, Greater Newburyport YWCA, and more.
Presentations begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Resource Fair and refreshments. RSVP by May 28th to Kerry.Mahoney@TheArcofGHN.Org or call 978.373.0552 ext 201. This program is part of "Transiton to Adulthood - Moving Forward", providing information on the benefits, resources and best practices for successful transitions for teens and young adults ages 14-25.

 Adaptive & Accessible Recreation Fair for All Ages/Abilities: June 9th, 2012, 10:00 a.m. - 3 p.m. , Artesani Park, Brighton/Boston, Ma. Discover the Massachusetts Universal Access Program (UAP), find Accessible Outdoor Recreation organizations around the state that serve people with disabilities, and sign up for summer fun. Those with disabilities may try out an assortment of accessible cycles, find adaptive recreational activities, including hiking, letterboxing, face painting, interpretive programs, enjoy music from a D.J., snacks from Whole Foods, Shaw’s Market and Starbucks Coffee. The UAP offers accessible activities including, cycling, boating, hiking, letterboxing and horseback riding programs in the summer and fall, as well as adaptive winter activities in January through March at various state park facilities. Pre-registration is highly recommended, especially for use of equipment. To register, call 617 626-1294. RSVP to request an ASL interpreter. For more information visit  www.mass.gov/dcr/universal_access. 

Combating Bullying

The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), AbilityPath, PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center, and Autism Speaks are proud to partner with BULLY to raise awareness about how bullying affects children with special needs.  Click here to learn more about the toolkit and the anti-bullying project.

Financial and Legal Workshop for Special Needs Families

From the MA Sped Child and Teen Newsletter:

Legal and Financial Issues for Families of Those with Special Needs - Free: May 24, 2012, 7-8:30, Riverside Family Support Center, Woburn Ma PM. Cynthia Haddad, co- author of, The Special Needs Planning Guide: How to Prepare for Every Stage of Your Child's Life, will discuss the important legal and financial issues confronted by families of individuals with special needs and how planning is key to addressing these matters. Cindy, who has an adult brother with developmental disabilities, is also a certified financial planner and is a Director of Special Needs Financial Planning. Contact 781-686-4527 or jforte@riversidecc.org

Discovery Museum

From the Discovery Museums in Acton:

Especially for Me! Free Evening for Families with Children on the Autism Spectrum!

Information:

Date: 

May 19, 2012

Time: 

5:30 - 8:30 PM

Location: 

Children's and Science Discovery

Ages Range: 

All Ages

Cost: 

Free with Admission

Program Description: 

Come join in all the fun during this special free evening for families with children on the autism spectrum. Pre-registration required. Visit http://tinyurl.com/EspeciallyforMe2012-4 to register. Funding provided by CVS, Nypro, DCU for Kids, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School’s Youth in Philanthropy Club, and the Local Cultural Councils of Acton, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Dracut, Framingham, Harvard, Hudson, Lawrence, Leominster, Littleton, Natick, Waltham, Wayland, Westford, and Weston, with in-kind support provided by Not Your Average Joe’s.

Super Special Kids

Don't forget that our Super Special Kids program is this Saturday (May 5) at 10AM:

Calling all Special Needs kids and their families! Come join us for a super Saturday morning. We’ll share stories, sing songs, move and groove and do other fun things. At the end of the session there will be time for families to visit and a snack will be provided. If your child has food allergies or food sensitivities we encourage you to bring his own preferred snack.

If you have questions please contact Molly Hancock, Coordinator of Youth Services at 978-674-1527 or at mhancock@mvlc.org.

Autism Speaks Events

Autism Speaks has a couple of events coming up in New England -

The New England Area Presents
A Science Panel Lecture: 

The New England Ares of Autism Speaks is proud to be hosting the first ever Autism Science Panel Lecture at the Rabb Lecture Hall in the Boston Public Library on Tuesday, May 15th from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. This event will allow anyone who attends direct access to some of the brightest minds in autism research and treatment. The Lecture will include scientist in the fields of genetics, treatment, translational research, and alternative interventions. This Lecture is specifically geared towards attendees with no medical or research back ground. There is no charge to attend and everyone who does is encouraged to ask as many questions as there is time to answer.

The panel will consist of the following researchers who are all leaders in their field:
Dr. Randy Carpenter – Seaside Therapeutics speaking on Translational Research
Dr. Guoping Feng – MIT speaking on Genetics
Dr. Chris McDougle – Lurie Center for Autism speaking on treatment in autism
Our moderator will be Dr. Martha Herbert of MGH who also sits on the Autism Speaks Scientific Advisory Council.

Please RSVP today to reserve your spot call 781-461-8800 or visit us at http://events.autismspeaks.org/sciencepanel. 

Boston 13.1 Marathon benefiting
Autism Speaks:

Team Up with Autism Speaks on Sunday, September 16, 2012 for the Boston 13.1 Marathon benefiting Autism Speaks. Being the benefiting charity allows our Autism Speaks community to take fundraising to another level. We anticipate over 400 Team Up participants, but can only reach that number if you help us recruit!! If you are a runner or if you know people who are this is the perfect way for them and you to get involved. Being a part of Team Autism Speaks will come with several perks including Autism Speaks Runners tank & long sleeve, and a Autism Speaks hat, pre-race celebration dinner for you and a guest, virtual coaching by a certified running coach Chris Fales, and much more. Learn more by visiting our website: http://events.autismspeaks.org/boston13.1marathon

Upcoming Events at LifeLinks

Here are some upcoming events at LifeLinks:

Book Raffle and Parent Dinner

JOIN US!

Tuesday, May 15            5:30 - 8:00 PM

The LifeLinks Family Support Center is hosting a dinner and a book raffle for families of special needs children.

We have over 15 great titles including memoirs, planning guides, and disability specific stories that we'll be raffling off (for free!).

  

Dinner will be offered from 5:30 - 6:30.

Parents will get tickets to bid on books and the raffle will start at 7:00PM.

Children are welcome to come and watch a movie during the raffle portion of the evening.

FREE event. Registration is required or entry is not guaranteed.

DATE: Tuesday, May 15

TIME: 5:30 - 8:30PM

LOCATION: LifeLinks, 285 Mill Road, Chelmsford

CONTACT: Registration is required. Contact the Family Support Center by email or call 978-349-3040. 

Creating an Effective IEP 

Three Session Workshop Series 

LifeLinks Family Support Center will be hosting award-winning educational advocate and parent Elizabeth Bostic for a three-series workshop, 'Creating an Effective IEP'.

Elizabeth Bostic has been an advocate and parent consultant since 2005. Ms. Bostic created her own company, The Parent Coach, LLC, that specializes in educational consultations and advocacy.

Ms. Bostic will cover the following topics:

May 8:   Introduction to Special Education and Basic Rights

May 29: IEP Development

June 5: Collaborative Communication

FREE. Attendance at all workshops is not required but strongly encouraged. Registration required.

DATES: Tuesdays, May 8, May 29, and June 5

TIME: 5:30 - 7:30PM

LOCATION: LifeLinks, 285 Mill Road, Chelmsford

CONTACT: Registration is required. Contact the Family Support Center by email or call 978-349-3040. 

Karaoke Night for the Young Adult Social Group! 

On Friday, May 11 from 6:00PM - 8:00PM, the Young Adult Social Group will be singing their hearts out!

  

We'll eat pizza, sing our favorite tunes, and socialize with friends.

We'll supply the karaoke machine and disco ball, you supply the talent and fun!

FREE! Registration is required for this event. 

DATE: Friday, May 11

TIME: 6:00 - 8:00PM

LOCATION: LifeLinks, 285 Mill Road, Chelmsford

CONTACT: Please RSVP to Rachel or call 978-349-3040 by Tuesday, May 8.

The Young Adult Social Group is a social and activity based group for young adults ages 16-28 with developmental disabilities.

Join Us for a Fun Filled Family Event at Kimball Farm 

Join us for an evening filled with fun games, food, and the opportunity to meet other families.

After eating a wonderful barbecue dinner and filling yourself on the ice cream buffet, you will have unlimited use of the bumper boat pond, driving range, 9-hole pitch & putt golf course, two adventure style 18-hole mini golf courses, sand volleyball, horseshoes, and tug-of-war pit! In addition, each guest will receive 2 tokens for the batting cages.

FREE! Registration is required for this event.

DATE: Wednesday, June 6

TIME: 5:00 - 10:00PM

LOCATION: Kimball Farm, 400 Littleton Road, Westford

CONTACT: Registration required. RSVP to Anabel or call 978-349-3043.